Crosstown Clash

Adkins’ 12 Ks, Shelton’s Three Runs Lead North Past McKinney

McKinney North didn’t waste any time getting on top of McKinney High in District 9-4A softball on Tuesday night.

The Lady Bulldogs scored five runs in the first two innings on the way to an 11-3 victory over the Lionettes.

"Our previous years playing them we’ve been slow to get started," North head coach Debbie Evans said. "I’m excited that we came out and got seven runs quick, but then we laid back and took the easy ride for a couple of innings."

North scored seven runs in the first four innings, but stalled in the fifth and sixth, leaving three runners stranded. The Lionettes seized on the opportunity in the bottom of the sixth and scored their only three runs to cut North’s lead to four going into the final frame.

The Lady Bulldogs scored four runs in the seventh, loading the bases twice to put the game away. Amy Kilpatrick scored on a McKinney error, while Ashleigh McLean came around on a fielder’s choice by Lindsey Post. Kathy Shelton and Post later scored on a fielder’s choice by Kelsey Schendt.

That sixth-inning outburst gave McKinney head coach Jeremy Greenway cause to be optimistic, however.

"If we could take two innings away from that game, we’re pretty satisfied," Greenway said. "We had a lot of adjustments that we made in the last two days, and the girls came out and played well. For the most part they played a respectable game."

The adjustments Greenway referred to were the result of a tumultuous situation in which some of the varsity players were disciplined in-house and, temporarily at least, removed from the team. Greenway called up three junior varsity players, effectively putting five freshman in the dugout and cancelling the JV game which was set to play before the varsity contest.

"We’ll probably be going to war with these JV guys for the next three weeks or so," Greenway said when asked about the future of the suspended varsity players.

It was an inexperienced squad, therefore, that McKinney (7-11, 1-1) put up against North (15-2-1, 2-0). Lady Bulldogs pitcher Kristen Adkins said that, weakened Lionettes squad or not, the game never lost its luster.

"After we heard about what happened, some of the girls were kind of laid back coming into it," Adkins said. "But before the game we sat down and said that we have to play them like we’re playing a top-ranked team.

"We came out playing that way, but then we kind of laid back a little bit. But a ’W’ is on the board and that’s what really counts."

Adkins did her part in two different stints in the pitcher’s circle. She pitched the first three innings, tallying seven strikeouts and one walk, until she was relieved by Ashleigh McLean in the fourth. Adkins returned in the bottom of the sixth after the Lionettes scored their three runs.

Adkins finished with 12 strikeouts and no hits allowed. She said coming back to pitch after moving to left field took a renewed focus.

"It is difficult because I take myself out of every single batter, strategizing what I want to throw," Adkins said. "When they call you back in the game, you have to turn that switch back on and go from being a player to being a pitcher again."

North got on the board early in the first. Shelton led off with a single and was scored on a double to the centerfield wall by Post. Post came in on a single by Adkins, who in turn came home on a sacrifice by Kilpatrick.

The Lady Bulldogs added two more runs in the top of the second. Amanda Parsonage got on base due to one of seven McKinney errors and later scored on another error. Shelton recorded her second consecutive run on her second consecutive hit in the inning.

Kilpatrick and Schendt each scored a run in the third and fourth innings, respectively, to give North a seven-run advantage.

McLean, who pitched for McKinney last season, came in to relieve Adkins in the fourth inning. She retired six of the first eight batters she faced before running into trouble in the sixth.

Catcher Haley Pruitt got things started for McKinney with a single to left field, ending North’s no-hitter. Ashley Thomas followed Pruitt with a base on balls, and Sam Licata brought them both home with a two-run shot to left field. Licata was scored on a double to left by pitcher Leanne Shine for the Lionettes’ final run.

Evans said the Lady Bulldogs’ offensive effort in the fifth and sixth innings factored into her decision to call Adkins back in to pitch.

"We didn’t take care of business in the two innings prior to that," she said. "We should have had a couple more runs on the board."

The Lady Bulldogs finished with 10 hits and two errors. McKinney racked up three hits and seven errors.

North will attempt to stay undefeated in district with a Friday night tussle against Frisco Centennial. McKinney will try to get back on the winning track at Frisco on Friday.

Game Notes: North’s Kristen Adkins did not allow a hit in her two stints on Tuesday...North’s Kathy Shelton and Lindsey Post combined for five runs...McKinney coach Jeremy Greenway said that the in-house discipline levied in the past few days will result in the cancellation of JV games until the March 17 McKinney JV Invitational tournament. District play for JV is expected to resume March 27 against Boyd.